Wood-splitting machine



June 5, 11923.

W. EASTMAN vWOOD SPLITTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTO R N EY June 5, H923. ,457,%6

w. EASTMAN WOOD SPLITTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1920 5 sheets-sheet 4' L/Zfa'fn 7 E Z5 I 73 w h.

l n/ 76 S31' 4/ 7'/// fm. ....W.. ,www I Il 76 WITNESSES ATTORNEY June 5, E923.

Filed Feb. 25, 1920 11,457,926@ W. EASTMAN WOOD SPLITTING MACHINE 5 sheets-sheet 5 ATTORNEY Patented June 5, 1923.

@METEO STATES 'iastate earner ortica.

WATSON EASTMAN, OF PORTLAND, OREGON, ASSIGNOR T0 VESTERNOOOPERAGE COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, OREGON, A CORPORATION OF OREGON.

WOOD-SPLITTIN G MACHINE.

Application led February 25, 1920.

To all trimm, may concern.'

Be it known that I, lVATsoN EAsTMAN, citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon, have invented a new and useful lood- Splitting Machine, of which the'following is a specification.

This invention relates to wood splitting machines, and particularly to machines of the type which employs gravity to deliver a blow upon a wedge placed on a block 0f wood.

One object of the present invention is to provide'a splitting machine whose splitting head may be swung directly over'the wedge whatever the position of the same.

A further object is to provide a machine whose splittinghead is under perfect control of the operator'which can be raised or lowered to any desired extent and then reversed in direction, and which can be made to deliver a series of light blows in succession. or powerful blows at intervals.

The present machine is used for splitting blocks cut from logs. The blocks are split in any number of pieces by placing wedges at desired points on the end of the block. The frame of the machine is articulated or hinged so that the splitting head may be moved directly over the wedge. lf the splitting machine had a rigid and stationary frame it would be necessary to move the block each time so that the wedge would be directly under the splitting hear. Vilith the present machine` the articulated frame will allow swinging of the head in any hori zontal path to permit its positioning` directly over the wedge. l

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyimedrawings forming part of this specification with the understanding, however, that, the invention'is not confined to anv strict conformity to the showing of the drawings, but may be changed and modified so longas such changes and modications mark. no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

.ln the drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of a practi^al ma:;liine embodying the principles of my invention;

Serial No. 361,315.

Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, but on a larger scale;

Fig. 3, is an elevation showing the machine from the splitting head end;

Fig. 4, is an elevation ofthe parts of the controlling mechanism for the splitting head shown on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5, is a sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6, is a vertical cross sectional view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7, is a longitudinal cross section of the spur pinion and the friction clutch;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevation with parts in section showing a portion of the driving member of the friction cutch;

Fig. 9, is a elevation of the cup brake;

Fig. 10, is an elevation partly in section of a lever fulcrum;

Fig. 11, is a perspective View of a part of the mechanism which controls the brake and clutch; and

Fig. 12 is an elevation of a slight`y modified form of splitting head. Y

The machine proper is supported upon an upright beam or post 15 so as to swing upon an axis lined relatively to the post wherebv it assumes vertical positions at all times. A cross beam 15"L is also provided to support i parts of the driving means. Upon the verticalipost 15 a channel bar 16 is mounted with the flanges of the channel bar fitted about the sides of the post. Bolts 17 unite. the channel bar and the post. The channel bar has a plurality of brackets 18, 19, 20, outstanding from its outerface for a purpose to be described.

The cross beam 15'L supports a bearing 22, while the channel member 16 supports a thrust bearing 23 in alignment therewith, the bearings 22 and 23 properly supporting a shaft 21 having a band nulley 211 keyed or otherwise secured upon the same. Pulley 2i is connected by belting to any convenient source of power, as an electric motor. An angle bracket 25 is also provided upon the` channel member 16 .and additionaly supports and braces the shaft 21. A bevel gear 26 is fixed upon the shaft 21 between the angle bracket 25 and the bearing 23, and meshes with a bevel gear 27 provided on an upright shaft 28 running longitudinallj,y with the post 15. At the lower end of the shaft 28 a bevel gear 29 is secured.

A frame 30 preferably made of cast steel properly bracedV is mounted#upon:A the brackets 18,- 19, 20,'so as -to -assume vertical positions about an axis passing through said brackets.y This frame is provided vwitha thrust bearing 31 `which receivesthelower 'end of the shaft 28'. 'The frame y30 has arms 32, 33 and 34 corresponding to said brackets either end, holdingit in place. T he bushing- 39 has an annulariange 40 at its' ripper end provided'with a circumferential recess or groove on the top .face thereof,tof receive ball bearings 4G, which are also received in a. similar circumferential lrecess provided in the underpart of thehead 32n andthe bar rllhe frame v30 is thus freelyvv turnable upon the pin 37 as an axis. The connection between the upper brackets 19, 2O, and the arms 33, 34, `is the same as that Adescribed for the lower brackets 18 and the arm 32, vexcept that instead ofhaving a pivot pin 37 the shaft 28 is utilized as a pivotal element. On thisaccount itis deemedunnecessaryto disclose'each connection in detail. Anyother form `of ball hearing hinge 'maybe used.

A horizontal shaft 42 turns within bearings provided in the frame 30 and vhas a bevel gear 41 at its inner end meshed with the bevel gear 29,*while. at its'outer end it is provided with a bevel l`gear The frame 30y is further provided with arms 44and 45 in horizontal alignment.respectively with the arms 32 and 33 above mentioned. An auxiliary frame47 having` arms 48 and 49 is pivoted to the frame 3() by means of pins 46' engaging with-the hinge arms44, 45, 48 'and 49. `Thus the frame 47 is pivoted-upon the frame 30, which, inturn, is pivoted upon a fixed support, and .both the main and auxiliary frames swing about independent vertical axes. i w i The auxiliary frame 47 is'provided with a bearingr 50 having` a shaft 51 which is also held bya bearingv 52 provided on the frame 30. The shaft 51 is held in a vertical position in alignment vwith Athe pivot pins 4G. The upperend of the shaft 51.has a bevel rear 53 meshing' with the bevetgjear 43, while, the lower end of ythe shaft-*51 basa; bevel gear A. horizontal shaft is supported upon the auxiliary frame 47 by means of a bearing` at the inner end ofthe frameand a bearing 71 atthe outer end of the frame. rlhe inner end `of the shaft 55 hasa' bevel gear 57 meshing-witl1=gear54.

The frame 47 is further provided with ears 58 intermediate-its ends andsimilar ears59 nearits outer end. The upper pair of ears 58, 59, receives a yrod 60 in apertures providedi'n the ears, while the lower pair of ears 58, 59 receives a similar but shorter .rod-6l. in apertures. ,Set screws 62 are pro vided for the lower pair of ears and set screws 63 are provided forthe upper pair of ears,'whereby rods GO. and 61 may be clamped in proper positions. i l

'A cupbrake 65. (seerFig. 9) vhaving alpair of ears 68..'1s'slidably mounted upon the rods ,60 and 61 by, means ofsaid ears. a "lining of babbitt G9 being' provided to reduce friction. Coil Asprings'64,n'1ounted on vthe rods GO and G1 urge'fthe cup brake 'in'thedirectionof theclutc'h to bedescribed. The ycup brake has pins GGf'for connection with parts to be described. lllhere the pins 66 protrude :from the sides ofthe cupbrake its surface'ispreferably flattened as indicated at 67'. The cup brake has a central-'tapered or 'i'.trusto-eonical aperture of'suflicient diameter toiit over the outside ofl the vdriven part oftheclutch. A brake lining` 70 is provided upon the cup brake to engage upon the outer part of the clutch member.

As is seen'lbest in Figs. 7 'and 8, .the clutch comprises -a cone friction 76 and a cup friction 75..the latter'being integral with a spur pinion :72. rlhe spur pinion hasiteeth 73 to engafrewitha rack, inturn made fast tothesplitting head as .will be described. A bushing'74 is inountedfupon the shaft concentric `with the spur pinion 72. The spur pinion is designed toturnjupon the shaft 55 only when the cone yfriction isV engaged with the cup frictiomas showngin Fig. .7. The cone friction 76has a paper cone 77 held upon the 'same'by meanso'f a ring 78 and studs 79. The cone friction is secured upon the shaft 55by means of a key 81 and hasI an appropriate .keyway adapted to receive said key. cone friction turns whenever the shaft is revolved, while the cup friction and consequently the spur. pinion only lturns when the `cone "friction is -moved into engaging;v position. The end of the cone 'friction opposite to or remote from the engagingend is' provided with a boss 82 having external screw' threads 83. Avplate or disk r84 is secured to the cone friction by means ofthese screwthreads.v i clutch Vcollar 85 is mount` Thus itl i's-seen that they the clutch collar and with it the cone lriction. Upon the levers 89 are also secured atrjustable links 90', preferably by the same means which connect links 88 to said levers. The adjustable links 90 are connected at their opposite ends to the cup brake 85 by means of the pins 66 above mentioned.

The lever liulcru'm 92, as stated., supports at either end one of the levers 89, and in turn is secured upon the rod 60 by means oi" an ear 93 and set screw 94. The other ends of the levers 89 are pivotally connected i fith adjustable links 91, similar to the adjustable links 90. Each link 91 is connected with a hell-crank lever 95 mounted upon the frame 47.

The bell-crank lever 95 comprises an arm 96a, a second arm 96.b at right angles thereto, a bridge plate 97, and an arm 98 parallel to arm 96a and connected therewith by the bridge-piece 97. Aligned apertures 99 and 100 in the bell-crank lever vpermit pivoting of the same upon the frame 47. The outer end ot arm 96b is pivotally connected with a rod 101 which passes through a web or the like provided on the 'trame 4T and is sccured at its outer end to an operatiim` or hand lever 10G. .et coiled spring` 10T is held upon the rod 101 between the frame 47 and the hand lever and operates to normally hold the hand lever in the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, in which position the clutch is disengaged and the brake is set.

A rod 102 is lined in upright position to the rods 60 and 61 by connecting elements 103 and 104 respectively. This 11d. 1052 provides convenient means by which the hammer head may be guided to a position directly above the wedge. Upon the rod 10Q and between the elements 103 and 104 lever itulcrum 105 is secured and to said lever inlcruin the hand lever 106 is connected.

A bracket 108 is provided on the side of the frame 47 opposite to that which. appearsl in Figs. 1 and 4, and serves as a supporting means for a plurality of guide rollers 109 which are spool-shaped, as shown in Fig. 2. The guide rollers 109 direct a gea-r rack 110 in vertical movements relatively to the frame ot' the machine. The gear rack 110 is provided with beveled edges 111 running longitudinally therewith and fitting into the spool-shaped guide rollers 109. The gear rack has teeth 112 ruiming the entire length thereof and designed to mesh with the teeth 78 ot the spur pinion 72.

The lower end of the gear rack is provided with a taper pin 118` received in a correspondingly shaped bore provided in a hammer head 114. The hammer head 114 has a transverse bore 115, and a pin 116'is run through the lower end of the taper pin 18 and holds thev taper pin and hammer head in assembled relation.

Instead of this construction the gear rack may, as shown. in Fig. 12, be fashioned into onepiece with a hammer head 117.y In this case, the hammer head and 'the gear rack 118 are cast at the same time and need no assembling.

1t will be observed that the driving shaft is broken into live parts connected together by bevel gears. The arrangen'ient is such that the driving speed of the pulley 24 is largely reduced, while the free turning oli` the hinged sections of the iframe is permitted when the shafts are rotating.

The machine operates as follows. The start is made with the hammer head in its uppermost position with the brake on, holding the head stationary. The hand lever is in the position shown in the drawings, which is its uppermost position. The clutch is disengaged, which is always the case when the brake is engaged. 1t is desired to allow the hammer head to fall.

moved downv slightly which releases the brake to allow the head to drop by gravity. rllhis slight movement of the hand lever is not suliicient to iorce the members ont the clutch into engagement. The hammer head having delivered its blow upon the wedge the next step will be to raise it. To do this, the lever is moved down further in the same direction. This engages the clutch and. the head is run up by the turning ot the spur pinion in engagement with the rack. lVhen the head has reached its uppermost position and it is desired to stop its movement and hold it in place the hand lever is pulled or released to move upwardly, which again disengages the clutch and applies the brake. It it had been desired to raise the hammer head and drop it instantly without holding it in its upper position., it would only have been necessary to pull the hand lever down a suflicient dis ance to engage the clutch and then quickly pull the lever in the opposite direction to disengage the clutch, without throwing on the brake. n

lli/That is claimed is 1. In a wood splitting machine, a support having a plurality of brackets spaced apart, a vertical power driven shatt passed through two of said brackets, a hinged :trame having a plurality ot .supporting arms resting upon said brackets. a separate pivot connectingone ot the arms with one of the brackets, the other arms turning on said shaft, wedge driving ineens mounted. upon said iframe, and means including said shaft for' elevating said driving means.

The hand leverV 2. In a wood splitting machine, a support, a 'hinged frame made up kof a plurality of hingedlyconneoted members, the :innermost member being pivoted on the Support, a

` hammer head mounted `to reciprocate in a Verticaldirection on the outermost traine, the hinged connections of said frame members permittinpg'the vhead to be moved in or out towards or 'from said support in a horiwhichl the innermost frame is pivoted,v means for connecting the second vertical to a Source of power, and gearing;` between the second-mentioned Vertical shaft, the Secondmentioned horizontal sha-lit, the first-inent-lonedve-rtical shaft, and the first-mentioned horizontal ebelt to actuate the hammer head. f

' 3. ln'a wood splitting:y machine having; a reciprocable hammer hea-d', l an operating;

lever, and means interposed between and connected `to thehammer head 'and lever whereby when the lever isinite normal position, the hammer head is maintained Stationary. and when `the lever is moved rout of its normal position, the hammer head is allowed to fall byy gravity, .and when vthe lever iS moved. still farther in the same direction, the' hammer head is raised by ay Source ot power.

4C. ln a wood splitting machine, a hinged frame, a hammer `head reciprocable on the frame, horizontal rods fixed upon the traine in-subetantially parallel relation, a 'friction brake slidabzle on said rods, means-for imparting to the b ak-e a tendency to n'iovc in onev direction along4 the rode, means; ixed upon the rods 'lorouiding' the hammer head, and brake-releasing means Supported upon the fra-maand'uponsaid guiding meane.

5. In a woodnsplittine; machine, a traine, a reciproeable hammer head. mounted upon the frame, a pair of spaced substantially parallel rode fixed upon the trame, a brake elidabl-y held upon the rode, springs for normallyimpelling the brake in `one-direction, Said brake normally holding* said hammer head Stationary, an operatingv lever, 'mechanism interposed between the operating lever and the, brake whereby movement of: theA 1 lever will release said brake andthe hammer head, and a springT normally holding; the

. ,operating lever in braking; poeition.A

G. In a wood splitting' machine, a. trame,

`a reeipii'ocable :hammer head mounted upon with the diiif'en member of the clutch, and means :tor releasing tlie'brarke and engaging the clutch, .said means operating lirstto rev lease the brake and then engagethe clutch,

the operating means .at a predetermined point between the vbrake'releasing position' and the clutching position being adapted to release the hammer head.

. Tfln a Iwood splitting"machine,airaine,

a recipiocable hammer head mountedupon the traine, a rack Secured to said hammer head to 'lall therewith, a driving shattaleo pinion engaging* with the rack.

8. In a wood Splitting; machine, a iframe,

a. reciprocable hammerhead mountedupon the i'rame, a driving shaft mounted yu pon the frame, aclutch interposedbetween the driving shaft and the reciprocable head, a bra-hey slidable upon rthe 'frame and normally en gagging' with thel driven. niemeer lo the clutch to hold the hammer head,v said brake including an annular member surrounding the driven member of the clutch andf designed to engage 'frietionally with the outerv walls oit the same, the inner Ienefagingpart l' v l f n or the brake being promoed with a brake lining. f f

9, ln wood splitting machinc,`a support- 1 me' frame hinged at' two plares,y a reoiprocable hammer head mounted upon the trame, a guiding rodeecured upon the frame whereby the reciprocable hammer head mayl 'bei placed directly over the work without moving-the same, 'and mechanism for eiigragingg the reciprocable head with a source olpowery to release the Same to ita-llby gravity, or to hold the same 'at any ydesired point, said mechanism ,operatingy by means of a hand lever, movement of thev hand leverin one cli-- rection first releasing the hammer head and Second raising` the same, the movement of the lever in the opposite direction Checking the moi/ement oli the 'hammer head and holdin .oj the Same stationary.

l0. In a wood splitting machine, a trama a. reeiprocabl-e hammer head mounted: npon the trame, a drivingy Shaft mountedguiiion' the frame, a. clutch interposed'between die driving' shaft and the reciproeable head, ya bra-he normally engagingjwith the `driven member olf the cliitclnvrode yon .the 'frame Aupon which said hrfl're is elidabiy mounted` Springe nioimtedupon said rode for causing eaid ljrahe to more in one direction along said rode, and al1handactuated lever con! nected to the brake for moving; the Same along Said vrodeagainet thek 'force ot said @Licensee springs said lever being connected to said clutch to engage the same after the brake has been released. i

ll. In a wood splitting machine, a frame', a reciprocable hammer head mounted upon the frame, a driving shaft mounted upon the frame, a clutch interposed between the driving` shaft and the reciprocable head, a brake normally engaging with the driven member of the clutch, springs tor causing said brake to move in one direction, and a hand-actuated lever connected to the brake for moving thesame against the 'force or' saidl springs, said lever being connected to said clutch to engage the same after the brake has been released, and to throw both the clutch and brake into neutral to release the hammer head when said head is in an elevated position.

l2. In a wood splitting machine, in combination, a frame, a hammer' head, a reciprocable rack mounted upon the 'frame and connected to the hammer head to fall there-` with, a pinion meshing.' with the rack, a brake 'for holding the pinion 'from rotation whereby the rack may be held stationary at any desired point in its path, and manually operable means for releasing` the brake to allow 'the hammer head to fall, and for engaging' the pinion with a source of power to raise the head.

13. In a wood splitting machine,in com'- bination, a frame, a hammer-head, a reciprocable rack mounted upon the frame and secured to the hammer head to fall therewith, a pinion meshing,` with the rack, a

clutch comprising a driving and a driven member, the driving member being connected to a source of power and the driven member being' joined to the pinion, and operator controlled means for engaging the clutch members to raise the hammer head.

14. In a wood splitting machine, in combination, a frame, a hammer head, a reciprocable rack mounted upon the frame and secured to the hammer head to Jfall therewith, a pinion meshing with said rac-k, a clutch comprising a driving member which is connected with a source of power and a driven member which is secured to the pinion, a brake engaging' with vthe driven member of the clutch, and means for engaging the clutch members to raise the hammer head and 'for ,controlling the brake.

l5. In a wood splitting machine, in combination, a frame, a reciprocable hammer head mounted, upon the frame, a driving' shaft rotatable upon the frame, a clutch interposed between the driving shaft and the hammer' head, a brake mounted upon the frame and engageable with the driven member of the clutch, manually operated means connected to the brake and clutch and adapted iirst torelease the brake, then toy wA'rsoN EAsTMAN. 

